Drunk Shakespeare NYC: Off-Broadway Comedy & Cocktails

One Actor, Five Shots, and Shakespeare Goes Sideways

You watch five professional actors perform Shakespeare while one of them is drunk on five shots of whiskey, with four sober actors trying to keep the script alive. Ninety minutes, no intermission, craft cocktails included, at The Ruby Theatre in Midtown. 21+ with ID required.

Step-by-step itinerary

Attend Drunk Shakespeare show

• Arrive at The Ruby Theatre
• Watch Off-Broadway comedy show
• See actors perform Shakespeare roles
• Enjoy craft cocktails during show

The experience

You walk into The Ruby Theatre on 39th Street and the energy hits you right away. The room is packed, the bar is moving, and there's this sense that nobody quite knows what's about to happen. That's the whole point. Five professional actors take the stage as members of The Drunk Shakespeare Society, and one of them has just downed five shots of whiskey. Then they attempt a major role in an actual Shakespearean play while the four sober actors do everything they can to keep the script from completely derailing. It's chaos on purpose, and it works because you never know which actor is going in, what they've been drinking, or how badly they're going to butcher the lines.

The ninety minutes run straight through with no intermission, which means you're locked in from start to finish. Craft cocktails are served throughout the show, so you're not just watching the mayhem. You're part of it, drink in hand, watching the sober actors scramble to save scenes that are already gone. Every performance is genuinely different. The drunk actor changes, the play changes sometimes, and the way the four others react to whatever's happening on stage keeps the whole thing from feeling rehearsed. You'll hear the same jokes from other people who went, but you won't see the same show.

The venue itself is tucked into Midtown, accessible by subway, and the whole space is built for this kind of intimate chaos: close enough to see the actors' faces when they realize they've lost the plot entirely. Fair warning: this is strictly 21 and up, and you'll need ID at the door. The special treat on arrival gets you settled, and then you're in for ninety minutes of professional actors doing their best to perform Shakespeare while one of them is genuinely impaired. It's not high art. It's not trying to be. It's funny because it's real-time and unrehearsable.

What’s included

Entry to the show at The Ruby Theatre, a special treat on arrival, and access to craft cocktails available for purchase throughout the ninety-minute performance with no intermission.

Options for this experience

3 options

BalconyGuide in English · 22:00Balcony seats sit farther from the performance.

MezzanineGuide in English · 22:00Mezzanine seats fall between the stage-side and balcony seats.

Stage-SideGuide in English · 22:00Stage-side seats are located near the action.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Information

Lasts 1h 30m, runs Friday at 22:00, from US$ 49 per person, with a live guide in English, in groups of up to 10 and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesFridayDeparts at 22:00Another day? ›

GroupUp to 10

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (21 and older) · Under 21: can't be booked

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Brass Jar Productions

Is this one for you?Right for a night out in New York if you want live comedy that's genuinely unpredictable and don't mind the chaos of watching professional actors improvise their way through Shakespeare. The 21+ age requirement and ID check are non-negotiable, so plan accordingly.

Traveler reviews

4.78★★★★★★★★★★

699 verified traveler reviews

5 ★634

4 ★24

3 ★11

2 ★13

1 ★17

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How long is the show?

Ninety minutes with no intermission.

What's included in the ticket?

Entry to the show and a special treat on arrival. Craft cocktails are available for purchase throughout.

Where is The Ruby Theatre located?

35 West 39th Street, New York, NY 10018, in Midtown Manhattan with nearby subway access.

Is there an age requirement?

Yes, strictly 21 and up. Valid ID is required at the door.

Does every show have the same script?

No. The drunk actor changes, and the way the performance unfolds depends on who's drinking and how the sober actors respond, so each show is different.

Is the venue wheelchair accessible?

Yes, all areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible, and service animals are allowed.

Can I buy drinks at the show?

Yes, craft cocktails are available for purchase throughout the ninety-minute performance.